A Healthier Smile for Every Child

Distance to dental care

For N.Naranbileg, a mother of three living in Altanbulag soum near the Mongolia–Russia border, keeping her children healthy is her greatest wish. But if her children complain of tooth pain, she knows that help is far away.

Nearly 360 kilometers from the capital city, Altanbulag soum family health care center primary level care for population of more than five thousand people. While general consultations and treatment are available, dental services have not been provided.

Across Mongolia, dental care is often available only at second-level hospitals due to the lack of trained dental professionals and equipment at the primary health care level. For families living in remote and nomadic communities like Naranbileg’s, this often means traveling long distances, sometimes from 20 to more than 100 kilometres to the provincial center, just to see a dentist.

Hidden risks of poor oral health

Yet the consequences of poor oral health go beyond toothaches or missed school days. A multi-risk study found that children diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease had significantly more dental problems, including tooth decay, than children without heart disease[i].

The findings highlight a troubling connection between oral health and heart health, underscoring the importance of protecting children’s smiles to safeguard their hearts as well.

Bringing dental care closer to communities

To address these challenges and bring dental care closer to children and families, a dental cabinet has been established at the Altanbulag Family Health Center in Selenge province. The initiative was supported by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF Mongolia and the Government of Luxembourg as part of the project on the Prevention and Reduction of Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Through the project, 30 soum-level Family Health Centers were equipped with dental chairs in 2025. As a result, approximately 40,000-50,000 children and their families in rural areas can now receive essential dental services within their own communities.

At the Altanbulag family health care center, dentist B.Ariuntsetseg is helping children and families in her community receive the care they need. Beyond providing treatment, Ariuntsetseg works closely with schools and kindergartens, conducting oral health assessments for children twice a year and referring them for treatment when necessary. “Tooth decay is widespread among children in rural communities,” she says. “With the right tools and equipment, I’m proud that I can now provide the quality care for families.”

She also educates children and parents about the importance of brushing their teeth and maintaining good oral hygiene, helping families develop healthy habits that can prevent dental problems in the future.

Before services were available locally, Naranbileg had to travel 20 kilometers to the Selenge provincial center to get dental care for her children. “I used to travel to the provincial center just to book an appointment, and then return again about ten days later for the treatment,” says Naranbileg. Now her youngest daughter happily brushes her teeth every morning, a small daily habit that dentist has taught her.